Table leg assembly



1957. c. o. LARSON TABLE LEG ASSEMBLY Fild June 19, 1964 E e 2 n w K m 8 2 2 w 5 mm m M a Z 1 T L NH ll'h I I I I I II i! m ON Q v s H mm 7 n W 1 7 K. Mm C 7 FIG. 2

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United States Patent Ofiice 3,295,472 Patented Jan. 3, 1967 3,295,472 TABLE LEG ASSEMBLY Charles 0. Larson, Starting, Iil., assignor to Chas. G. Larsen C0., Sterling, lll., a corporation of Illmors Filed June 19, 1964, Ser. No. 376,561 4 Claims. (Cl. 108-144) This invention relates to structure for connecting legs to a table top, and particularly to an assembly for connecting legs to a table top which permits the placement of the leg at variable distances from the table top to achieve a leveling action.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved table structure and leg mounting assembly of the type set forth for connecting legs to the under surface of a flat support such as a table top and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a leg mounting assembly of the type set forth which can be assembled to an associated table top with suitable fastener to hold an associated leg in a rigid position with respect to the table top, the distance between the upper end of the leg and the under surface of the table top being adjusted to achieve a leveling action,

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved leg mounting assembly of the type set forth which includes structure for positively limiting the upper position of the leg with respect to the associated table top.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved leg mounting assembly of the type set forth which is useful not only to mount the leg in an operative and table top supporting position, but it is also useful to support the leg in a stored position beneath the table top.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved leg mounting assembly of the type set forth which can be used to mount legs either on the edges of flush doors or on a frame disposed beneath a table top and spaced inwardly with respect to the outer edges thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved leg mounting assembly of the type set forth which firmly holds and clamps'the leg in the adjusted position thereof.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will best be understood by reference 'to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a table top having support legs mounted thereon by means of an improved bracket assembly of the present invention, three of the legs being shown in the upright or supporting position thereof and the fourth leg being shown in the storage po sition thereof;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view with certain portions broken away of one corner of the table top of FIG. 1 and showing the improved leg mounting assembly of the present invention mounted thereon and supporting a table leg in operative position thereunder, all in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view with certain parts broken away of the leg mounting assembly illustrated in FIG. 2, the leg being shown in supporting position thereof;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view with the table top removed of the parts of the leg mounting assembly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 5 is a view in horizontal section illustrating the constructional view of the leg forming apart of the assembly illustrated in FIGS. 2 :to 4.

There is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings a table generally designated by the numeral 10 including a table top 11 and four legs 20, 30, 40 and 50 which are connected to the table top 11 by means of a leg mounting bracket generally designated by the numeral 70, all made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. The table top 11 is formed substantially rectangular in outline and constitutes a support member having an upper flat surface (not shown) and a lower flat surface 12 and flat side surfaces 13 and 14 interconnecting the upper and lower surfaces and disposed substantially normal thereto and arranged around the periphery of the table top 11.

Spaced inwardly from the edges of the lower surfaces 12 is an attachment frame including outer frame members 61 and 62 arranged in substantially rectangular form and a third reinforcing frame member 63 arranged along and disposed inwardly of the frame member 61 which extends along the longer dimension of the table top 11. The various frame members 61, 62, and 63 are attached to each other by fasteners 64 and further are attached to the table top 11 by fasteners (not shown) so that the frame 69 is fixedly attached to the lower surface 12 of the table top 11. The outer surface of the frame member 61 is provided with a surface 65 which is planar in form and provides an attachment surface for cooperation with the leg mounting bracket 70, and'the frame member 62 is likewise provided with an outer surface 66 which is planar in form and provides an attachment surface for cooperating with the leg mounting bracket 70, the attachment surfaces 65 and 66 being disposed substantially normal to the table top 11 and particularly the upper and lower surfaces thereof, and being disposed substantially perpendicular to each other.

In a typical constructional example of the table 10, the table top 11 is formed of plywood. The frame 60 is set back 2 from the edges 13 and 14 of the table top 12 and the frame members 61, 62 and 63 are formed of lumber that is 2" x 2".

The legs 20, 30, 40 and 50 are formed identical to each other, and accordingly, only leg 20 will be described in detail, like reference numerals in the 30, 40 and 50 series of numbers being applied to corresponding parts for like parts therein and having the same construction and form as similarly numbered parts of the leg 20. As illustrated, leg 26 is formed of angle iron and includes two flanges 21 and 22 disposed substantially at right angles and extending the entire length of the leg 20. The lower ends of the flanges 21 and 22 are provided respectively with inturned foot flanges 23 and 24, the construction of which is best illustrated in FIG. 5' of the drawing. Adjacent to the upper ends of the leg flanges 21 and 22 two struckout lugs 25 and 26 are provided, respectively, in the leg flanges 2-1 and 22, the lugs 25 and 26 extending outwardly and away from the associated leg flange as may be best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing. The inner surfaces of the leg flanges 21 and 22 disposed above the lugs 25 and 26 as illustrated in FIG. 3 are formed smooth and substantially perpendicular to each other so that they may lie against and conform to the shape of the attach ment surfaces 65 and 66, respectively, on the frame 60.

The leg mounting bracket 70 is preferably formed of sheet metal that is bendable in character and is shaped to provide a pair of substantially planar attachment arms 71 and 72, the attachment arms 71 and 72 being disposed at substantially right angles to each other and having the inner surfaces thereof shaped to overlie and substantially conform to the upper end of the associated leg, such as the leg 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4. The vertical extent or width of the arms 71 and 72 is preferably at least as great as the thickness of the frame 60, and preferably slightly greater, and the length of the attach- 3 ment arms 71 and 72 at points disposed beyond the assofree vertical edge of the associated leg flange 21 or 22, as the case may be. There are provided in the attachmentarm 71 and 72 at points disposed beyond the associated leg flangea first set of screw receiving openings 73 74 therein, respectively, and a second set of nail receiving openings 75 and 76 therein. As illustrated, wood screws 77 and 78 are provided which pass through the openings 73 and 74, respectively, in the mounting bracket 70 and engage in the adjacent frame members 61 and 62, respectively, and specifically in the attachment surfaces 65 and 66 thereof.

In constructing the leg assembly of FIGS 2 to 4, the leg mounting bracket 70 may first be loosely mounted upon the frame 60 by means of the screws 77 and 78 passing through the openings 73 and 74, respectively, and engaging in the frame members 61 and 62, respectively. The upper end of the leg 20 is then inserted between the leg mounting bracket 70 and the associated corner of the frame 60 and is slid upwardly to any desired position, the lugs 25 and 26 engaging the lower edge of the leg mounting bracket 70 limiting the upper adjusted position of the leg 20 with respect to the table top 11, and more specifically the frame 60 thereof. Upon tightening of the screws 77 and 78, the attachment arms 71 and 72 are clamped against the upper end of the leg 20, and particularly against the upper ends of theleg flanges 21 and 22 and serve to clamp the upper end of the leg 20 and specifically the leg flanges 21 and 22 against the underlying attachmentv surfaces 65 and 66 respectively on the frame members 61 and 62. Because of the bendable and resilient character of the leg mounting bracket 70, the leg 20 can be firmly clamped against the frame 60. It also will be appreciated that if it is desirable to lower the leg 20 for any reason, such as for the purpose of leveling the table 10, the screws 77 and 78 can be loosened and the leg 20 slipped downwardly the desired distance, after which the screws 77 and 78 can be again tightened. The bendable character of the leg mounting bracket 70 will serve to clamp the leg 20 in the adjusted position thereof.

The range of adjustment of the leg 20 as to vertical position with respect to the table top 11 is substantial and more specifically is from a position wherein the lugs 25. and 26 contact the lower edges of the leg mounting bracket 70 to a point wherein the upper end of the leg 20 is substantially in alignment with the screws 77 and 78.

The leg 20 is firmly locked in place upon the tightening of the screws 77 and 78. Any tendency to force the leg 20 in or out in a direction parallel to the upper surface in the table top 11 simply places a pressure against the side of one or both of the screws 77 and 78. The screws 77 and 78 will not pull out when pressure is applied from the side in this manner, whereby the leg 20 is firmly locked in position.

In another typical use of the leg mounting assembly of the present invention, the legs 20, 30, 40 and 50 can be mounted directly upon the edges of a table top 11 which hasa sufficient thickness, such a table top for example being formed of a flush door. In such a structure the upper ends of the legs are applied directly to the corner of the table top without the provision of the additional frame 60 and the leg mounting brackets 70 are directly affixed to the vertical edges of the table top.

The leg mounting bracket 70 can also be used to hold the legs in a stored position beneath the table top 11, the leg 50 in FIG. 1 being illustrated in such a position. In the stored position, the upper end of theleg 50 is disposed with the flange 52 lying vagainst the attachment surface 56 and with the flange 51 disposed beneath the frame member 61. The upper end of the leg 50, and specifically the upper end of the flange 52 is disposed beneath the outer end of an associated attachment arm 72 and is clamped against the frame 60 and held in position thereon 'by a tightening of the associated screw 78. In addition a square bent hook 80 is provided on the frame sidered to be a preferred embodiment of the invention,

it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a combined mounting and storage structure for legs of tables and the like; a support member having an upper support surface and a pair of planar attachment surfaces, said attachment surfaces both being disposed.

substantially normal to said support surface and being disposed at a predetermined angle of not less than degrees with respect to each other, a leg including a pair of angularly disposed planar flanges on the upper end thereof, said'leg flanges beingdisposed with respect to each other at the same angle as said predeterminedangle of said attachment surfaces and being adapted to bepositioned thereagainst in close fitting relationship thereto,

a leg mounting and storage bracket formed of a resiliently bendable material and having a pair of substantially planar attachment arms disposed at the same angle as.

said leg flanges and adapted to engage against the outer surface of said leg flanges adjacent to the upper ends thereof in close fitting relationship thereto, each of said attachment arms having a length substantially longer than the associated leg flange and having a fastener receiving opening therein disposed outwardly beyond the associ: ated leg flange, at least one of said. attachment arms extending a substantial distance. outwardly beyond said opening to provide a leg storing portion on the arm, fasteners disposed in said openings and engaging said support member for resiliently clamping said bracket against the outer surfaces of said leg flanges and in turn clamping said leg flanges against the associated 'attach-. ment surfaces firmly to clamp said leg upon said support member with the leg extending substantially perpendicu-. lar to said support surface in a vertically adjustable posi-' and the leg extending substantially parallel with said sup-- port member. I

2. In a combined mounting and storage structure for legs of tables and the like, a support member having substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces and a pair of planar attachment surfaces disposed normal to said upper and lower surfaces and at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other, a leg member comprisingv an angle member having right angularly disposed flanges extending the entire length thereof, said flanges being adapted to lie against said attachment surfaces at one end of said leg member to provide aleg extending substantially perpendicular to said upper and lower surfaces of the support member, a leg mounting and storage bracket,

formed of resiliently bendable material and comprising an angle member having a pair of substantially planar attachment arms disposed at a right angle and adapted to I engage against said flanges at said end of the leg member, each of said attachment arms having a length substantially longer than the associated leg flange and having a fastener receiving opening therein disposed outwardly beyond the associated leg flange, at least one of said attachment arms extending a substantial distance outwardly beyond said opening to provide a leg storing portion on the arm, and fasteners disposed in said openings and engaging said support member for resiliently clamping said bracket against said leg flanges and in turn clamping said leg flanges against the associated attachment surfaces firmly to clamp said leg upon said support member with the leg extending substantially perpendicularly downward in a vertically adjustable position, said leg being demountable upon loosening of said fasteners for storage with one of said leg flanges extending along one of said attachment surfaces with one end of said flange disposed beneath said leg storing portion of said bracket and with the other of said leg flanges extending along the adjacent lower surface of the support member, whereby said leg is clamped in substantial parallelism with said upper and lower support surfaces with its flanges nesting around the support member upon tightening of the associated fastener.

3. In a combined mounting and storage structure for legs of tables and the like, a support member having an upper support surface and a pair of planar attachment surfaces, said attachment surfaces both being disposed substantially normal to said support surface and being disposed at a predetermined angle of not less than 90 degrees with respect to each other, a leg including a pair of angularly disposed planar flanges on the upper end thereof, said leg flanges being disposed with respect to each other at the same angle as said predetermined angle of said attachment surfaces and being adapted to be positioned thereagainst in close fitting relationship thereto, a leg mounting and storage bracket formed of a resiliently bendable material and having a pair of substantially planar attachment arms disposed at the same angle as said leg flanges and adapted to engage against the outer surface of said leg flanges adjacent to the upper ends thereof in lose fitting relationship thereto, each of said attachment arms having a length substantially longer than the associated leg flange and having a fastener receiving opening therein disposed outwardly beyond the associated leg flange, at least one of said attachment arms extending a substantial distance outwardly beyond said opening to provide a leg storing portion on the arm, and fasteners disposed in said openings and engaging said support member for resiliently clamping said bracket against the outer surfaces of said leg flanges and in turn clamping said leg flanges against the associated attachment surfaces firmly to clamp said leg upon said support member, with the leg extending substantially perpendicular to said support surface in a vertically adjustable position, said leg being demountable upon loosening of said fasteners for storage with one of said leg flanges disposed beneath said leg storing portion of said attachment arm and the leg extending in the direction of one of said attachment surfaces, whereby the leg is clamped in substantial parallelism with said support surface upon tightening of the associated fastener.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 3, wherein a hook is provided upon at least one of said attachment surfaces, said hook and said leg mounting bracket cooperating to hold said leg in a storage position beneath said support member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,136,129 4/1915 Haskell 5310 X 1,386,739 3/1921 Stoll et a1 248188 1,389,008 8/1921 Phole 248-488 1,992,434 2/1935 Kosanek 297139 X 2,485,784 10/ 1949 Shoenberg 248188 2,631,076 3/1953 Redlich 248188 2,677,470 5/1954 Catalano 108-154 X 2,805,707 9/1957 Schoeppner 297-139 2,913,207 11/1959 Eash Q. 248188.2 3,099,233 7/1963 Simkins 108-156 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

JAMES T. MCCALL, Examiner. 

1. IN A COMBINED MOUNTING AND STORAGE STRUCTURE FOR LEGS OF TABLES AND THE LIKE; A SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING AN UPPER SUPPORT SURFACE AND A PAIR OF PLANAR ATTACHMENT SURFACES, SAID ATTACHMENT SURFACES BOTH BEING DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO SAID SUPPORT SURFACE AND BEING DISPOSED AT A PREDETERMINED ANGLE OF NOT LESS THAN 90 DEGREES WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, A LEG INCLUDING A PAIR OF ANGULARLY DISPOSED PLANAR FLANGES ON THE UPPER END THEREOF, SAID LEG FLANGES BEING DISPOSED WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER AT THE SAME ANGLE AS SAID PREDETERMINED ANGLE OF SAID ATTACHMENT SURFACES AND BEING ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED THEREAGAINST IN CLOSE FITTING RELATIONSHIP THERETO, A LEG MOUNTING AND STORAGE BRACKET FORMED OF A RESILIENTLY BENDABLE MATERIAL AND HAVING A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR ATTACHMENT ARMS DISPOSED AT THE SAME ANGLE AS SAID LEG FLANGES AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AGAINST THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID LEG FLANGES ADJACENT TO THE UPPER ENDS THEREOF IN CLOSE FITTING RELATIONSHIP THERETO, EACH OF SAID ATTACHMENT ARMS HAVING A LENGTH SUBSTANTIALLY LONGER THAN THE ASSOCIATED LEG FLANGE AND HAVING A FASTENER RECEIVING OPENING THEREIN DISPOSED OUTWARDLY BEYOND THE ASSOCIATED LEG FLANGE, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID ATTACHMENT ARMS EXTENDING A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE OUTWARDLY BEYOND SAID OPENING TO PROVIDE A LEG STORING PORTION ON THE ARM, FASTENERS DISPOSED IN SAID OPENINGS AND ENGAGING SAID SUPPORT MEMBER FOR RESILIENTLY CLAMPING SAID BRACKET AGAINST THE OUTER SURFACES OF SAID LEG FLANGES IN TURN CLAMPING SAID LEG FLANGES AGAINST THE ASSOCIATED ATTACHMENT SURFACES FIRMLY TO CLAMP SAID LEG UPON SAID SUPPORT MEMBER WITH THE LEG EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID SUPPORT SURFACE IN A VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE POSITION, AND A LUG ON EACH OF SAID LEG FLANGES EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE LOWER EDGE OF THE ASSOCIATED ATTACHMENT ARM TO LIMIT THE UPPER POSITION OF SAID LEG WITH RESPECT TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, SAID LEG BEING DEMOUNTABLE UPON LOOSENING OF SAID FASTENERS FOR STORAGE WITH ONE OF SAID LEG FLANGES CLAMPED BENEATH SAID LEG STORING PORTION OF SAID ATTACHMENT ARM AND THE LEG EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL WITH SAID SUPPORT MEMBER. 